VP Naidu holds delegation-level talks with Qatar PM; reviews bilateral ties

Doha, Jun 5 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani here and the two leaders reviewed the growing bilateral ties between the two countries in areas like trade, investment, economic and security cooperation.

Naidu, who reached here on the last leg of his three-nation tour from May 30 to June 7, was accorded a ceremonial reception and a Guard of Honour at the Doha airport on Saturday.

He was also welcomed by the Indian community upon his arrival.

His visit to Qatar is taking place as both sides prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Sunday said that Vice President Naidu and Qatar Prime Minister Abdulaziz Al Thani held delegation-level talks.

“PM & Minister of Interior of Qatar, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani received VP @MVenkaiahNaidu at Amiri Diwan in Doha. Both sides held delegation level talks & reviewed bilateral relations including trade, investment, economic & security cooperation,” Bagchi said on Twitter.

Naidu reiterated the high importance attached by India to close and friendly relations with Qatar and the commitment to deepen multifaceted bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy, food security, defence, technology, culture, education, health, media and people to people contacts.

He thanked the Qatari leadership for taking great care of the Indian community.

The vice president also called on Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani who recalled the historic relations between both countries which are based on mutual trust and appreciated the contribution of the Indian community in the development of Qatar, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Father Amir asked Naidu about sectors for more investment opportunities in India.

Naidu invited the Qatari side to explore the significant opportunities in a range of sectors including infrastructure, connectivity both physical and digital, energy, defence and hospitality, it said.

Qatar also invited Indian entities to look for opportunities in sectors like education, pharmaceuticals and healthcare in the country. Both sides discussed the impact of recent global developments on food and energy security. They renewed their long-term commitment to energy partnership.

Naidu assured the Qatari leadership of India’s assistance in meeting Qatar’s food security, the statement said.

Both sides expressed strong commitment to further enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation and expressed satisfaction at the continued engagement at the highest levels between both countries since the landmark visits of Qatar’s Amir to India in 2015 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Qatar in 2016.

Naidu is also scheduled to meet several other Qatari dignitaries during this visit.

Naidu also addressed an India-Qatar Business Forum jointly organised by FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM, along with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Leading businessmen from both India and Qatar are expected to participate in the Business Forum. A Start-Up Bridge between Invest India and Invest Qatar will be inaugurated by Naidu during the forum. It is hoped that the forum will result in new networking opportunities for trade and investment between both sides.

Qatar’s FDI in India is in excess of USD 450 million and there is great potential for increasing these investments. Invest India and Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar have reached an understanding on cooperation to promote two-way investments between both countries, the External Affairs Ministry statement said.

"People-to-people contacts are at the heart of the historical relations between India and Qatar, with the latter hosting over 7,50,000 Indians," the MEA said in a statement ahead of the vice president’s visit to the three countries.

It said that the multifaceted cooperation between the two sides has witnessed significant growth in economic, energy, investment, education, defence, and cultural ties.

"Bilateral trade crossed USD 15 billion in FY 2021-22. Qatar has also committed investments of over USD 2 billion in various Indian companies over the past two years," it said.

Naidu, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, reached here from Senegal where he had emphasised the important role of the legislature in the life of a nation and appreciated Senegal’s democratic ethos, making it India’s natural development partner.

India and Senegal are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

Naidu's visit to Gabon and Senegal was aimed at adding momentum to India's engagement with Africa and emphasising its commitment to the African continent. PTI CPS MRJ AKJ MRJ MRJ